M.I.Y.O Monday: What’s Your Favorite Fast Food Item?

Note: M.I.Y.O. Monday stands for Make It Your Own Monday, a question thrown out to DCF readers every Monday to jumpstart the week with lively interaction. I also welcome questions and suggestions for future MIYO Mondays. Email me.

Until I was 11 years old, I always ordered the same thing at McDonald’s: Filet O’ Fish and large fries. I don’t think I ever tried a Big Mac or even a McChicken until I was a teenager. In other posts, I’ve waxed romantic about my love for McDonald’s banana milkshake (sadly, now discontinued) and I have an almost unreasonable love for McCafé , though that can’t be considered a fast food item now, can it?

Some weeks ago, Boo exhibited bravery in the face of one of childhood’s adversities: a trip to the dentist. We had a big fight about it beforehand complete with thinly-veiled threats, slammed doors, and – faced with remorse – pleas of forgiveness hastily scribbled on crumpled paper and apologies accepted. In the end, she had to have her tooth pulled out. I believe that no effort should go unrewarded so I asked her what she’d like to do afterwards. “Can we go to McDonald’s, Mom?” She asks, her eyes big and bright with hope. “I’d like a plain cheeseburger and fries.”

Another day, I’m having dinner with one of my favorite chef-friends, who, just like every able-bodied man I know, is thick in the midst of watching the NBA finals. He mentions that he loves the commercials shown on NBA TV. “The KFC ad is great!” He remembers, eyes also gleaming brightly. “I told myself ‘after the game, I’m going to have me some fried chicken’.”

Unlike other people, those I call “fast food fans,” I eat fast food and at fast food restaurants only about twice a year. But, like my chef-friend, when I eat fast food, it’ll most probably be at KFC because I still love their chicken and I survived on their Zingers during my first job straight out of college. I also love french fries – dipped in soft-serve vanilla ice cream optional. I’m fascinated with how fast food fans have favorite food items for different fast food places. Boo will get the afore-mentioned plain cheeseburger and fries at McDonald’s but when it comes to Jollibee, she prefers their ChickenJoy and rice with extra gravy. Other people I’ve talked to hold rigid beliefs that KFC’s chicken trumps Jollibee’s ChickenJoy every time, and that Shakey’s thin crust pizza just can’t be beat.

Comments

KFC. MUST be the thigh. In original AND Hot n’ Crispy. I get two single meals so both pieces can be the ‘big part’. Large coleslaw. I love this stuff so much don’t even consider it fast food, just manna from heaven. Deep Fried, greasy heaven.

Ian-
Will they let you state your part preference? Interesting how you so love this stuff so much that you “don’t even consider it fast food.” That’s a nice way of looking at it especially since fast food is so vilified.

I think they’re using the Mug rootbeer brand. And the soft serve vanilla they’re using on their rootbeer is really good which I think what makes it taste better than the other rootbeer that I’ve tried in other fastfood chains. 😉

I have a continuous love affair with the breakfast items at McDonald’s, no matter what age (or size) I would be at that time. Their Sausage and Egg McMuffin would be my favorite among all of them. Sometimes, I’d even wish that they would serve it all day.

Nothing beats Jollibee’s ChickenJoy of course!It’s so Pinoy, gravy and crispy skin.awww!Too bad,Jollibee’s chain don’t serve gravy here in Vietnam. They just give you a saucer after you order and have a choice of tomato ketchup and chili sauce. I also love onion rings,any fast food chain that serves this with the tartare sauce or sometimes with just ketchup and mayo. Pizza… One of my favorites,eaten hot or cold,it’s fine with me. Makes me happy with the combination of cheese, onions and different meats. 🙂

Chicken joy & spaghetti at Jollibee, nothing can seem to beat that! And for some reason, I always find myself leaning towards the McChicken Sandwich at McDonalds. There’s something about the lettuce in that sandwich, I can’t quite put my finger on it. But it’s something I’ve loved ever since high school!

anonymous paul-
Those biscuits are easily made at home. I’m sure you have a recipe? Funny, but I don’t even remember a time when they were available in McDonald’s Phils. (Must’ve still been in Indonesia). And yes, Shakey’s mojos tasted better before. Guess they must’ve lost their … er, mojo. Hee.

my favorite fast food a.k.a. comfort food is shakey’s thin crust cheese & garlic pizza. i used to share this with my lola then we’d go to goldilocks and buy their caramel popcorn. this was in the late 70’s or early 80’s.

definitely chickenjoy and jolly spaghetti (used to be called spaghetti special when i was younger). while i appreciate every other fastfood item out there, these two make me feel like a kid all over again. add choco sundae and i’m all set. 😀

Here’s my order;
1)Double-Double Burger, Animal Style, Light-Lettuce (translation: Two beef patties and two cheese slices. The patties are grilled with mustard and the sandwich comes with pickles, grilled onion and extra “sauce”-thousand island I presume. Just a few leaves of iceberg lettuce -more for crunch than flavor- so that the meat is more prominent).

3) Neapolitan Shake (translation: strawberry, vanilla and chocolate ice cream in one shake. Position the tip of the straw near the bottom of the cup and as you sip, you will first taste strawberry followed by vanilla and finally chocolate. Do not consume completely, wait a few minutes, give the cup a good shake, and what flavor do you get? Strawvachoc! 🙂

1. MCDO: Nuggets, regular fries, caramel sundae, strawberry sundae and the sorely missed TWISTER Fries. I hope they bring back twister fries soon I think they missed last year

2. JOLIBEE: SPAGHETTI… enough said hihihi!

3. KFC: Hot and Crispy Chicken-thigh part and Chicken Macaroni

By default, it has been a custom for us to eat KFC out of the country simply because it is very substantial and is carried in most Asian countries I have been. I had it in Malaysia, Thailand, Cambodia, India and Bangladesh. Common denominator: NO GRAVY hahaha! But the chili sauce in Malaysia and Thailand are good substitute and I never imagined that KFC would pair so good with basmati rice but yeah hihihi!

I recently started my junior internship at the hospital, and that means a good many of my meals every week are fast food. I confess to having a weakspot for Mcdo fries and thier hot fudge sundae (when I’m feeling a little down, I empty a sachet of Milo on top – heaven!), Jollibee’s Jolly Spaghetti and Chicken Joy, and KFC chicken and the berry banana Krusher – so good!

(Incidentally have you tried the banana flavored milk by the Korean brand Binggrae? Fake banana dairy goodness – such a guilty pleasure!)

I always considered only self-serve places like Jollibee, McDonald’s, etc., as fast food (or, as they’re called in the industry, QSR — Quick Service Restaurants). I don’t classify pizza restaurants, like Shakey’s, where you sit and order from your table, as being in the same category. (I guess Greenwich Pizza would be the exception, since that’s self-serve.) Pizza, unlike burgers and fries, is made to order, so you have to wait for it. If we label Shakey’s or Pizza Hut as fast food, how exactly are they differentiated from the pizza in higher-end Italian restos? Or am I just rationalizing because, like Ian, I love pizza so much (I’m only half-joking when I say it’s one of my major food groups), that I refuse to put the fast food, or even junk food, label on it?

I have my favorite KFC chicken skin sandwich. I save a large piece of Hot and Crispy skin, put it in the bun. I add some gravy and then, a spoonful of coleslaw. It seems a bit over the top but I enjoy the crunchy,salty,spicy,creamy and slightly sweet flavors.

Have to admit that I was such a fast food snob. I would often tell anyone who cared to listen that I prefer to eat in a carinderia that cooks their food well than eat fastfood. Someone pointed out that I do like fastfood — KFC Original + Coleslaw, McDonald’s milkshakes, the beef stew of Kimchi (under the original owners), and the Inihaw na Pusit w/ Tanglad of Casa Ilongga (I think now known as Ilonggo Grill and it’s not as good!). I now realize that I can take in some fast food after all.

Jollibee’s Tuna Pie! I can eat it everyday! I involuntarily close my eyes and moan after each bite. Perfect during rainy days. Too bad it’s only a seasonal thing. = Been looking for a recipe so I can replicate it at home, but I’ve been unsuccessful so far.

I LOOOOOVE Jollibee’s Tuna Pie.
When they were still available, were you also a fan of their choco mallow pies? I remember burning my tongue each time because I couldn’t resist biting into them. I remember Jollibee offering Banana Langka Pies too. 🙂

Roni
Sadly, I’ve never tried any of Jollibee’s pies. My bad, yes I know. Must watch out for those – crossing my fingers for their return – because that Choco Mallow one sounds like something I’d like to try.

Yes to the twister fries! I buy as often as I can when they’re in stores. Bad, I know.

Also, McDo used to offer this spicy chicken sandwich which I swear, is better than KFC’s zinger. And that is really saying something. I think they called it Raging Chicken Burger…? Can anyone correct me?